Emotional Abuse Test

Put your relationship to the emotional abuse test. If you have been feeling depressed, angry, sad, or a combination of all of these, you may be suffering from emotional abuse. The good news is that emotional abuse isn’t hard to detect, but you may second guess yourself if the abuser denies, or tries to cover up the abuse. Learn to uncover and recover from emotional abuse.

Lack of intimacy. A favorite tactic of some emotional abusers, particularly narcissists, is the bait-and-lure scheme. The game goes like this: once they've caught you, you just aren’t that important anymore. The catch was the most important thing. The commitment and work of a relationship does not interest them and they will use a variety of techniques to distance themselves from you while still trying to maintain the relationship.

Belittle and degrade. A hallmark of emotional abuse is a partner or significant other who constantly criticizes and degrades. In short, you are never good enough. They may constantly compare you to others, or continually find fault with you. They also are not above dashing your cherished hopes and dreams. These people rank a ten on the emotional abuse test. Run fast and far from these individuals.

Second-hand-rose. Barbra Streisand sang about it, and you could be experiencing it. Does your partner or significant other always place your needs second to hers, if at all? Some emotional abusers do not understand the concept of equality in relationships.

Back stabbers. Talking negatively behind your back is emotionally abusive. It ruins trust in a relationship. Running you down behind your back is not the sign of a healthy relationship.

Monitor and control. Constantly monitoring and controlling your comings-and-goings is also indicative of emotional abuse. This isn’t just a loving checking-in with your partner, but an insidious control issue. This also includes monitoring and controlling what you say and who you hang out with.